NBA Abuja: Who Is Afraid Of A Free And Fair Unified Election?

By Silas Joseph Onu

Since the Abuja Branch Election of 2016 where the then Chairman, Agada Elachi unconstitutionally set up an Electoral Committee with clear intent of executing a hatchet job, the combination of Mr. Abdul Ibrahim “SAN”, Steve Emelieze * and other daring, rudderless self acclaimed owners of NBA Abuja ran that election like a motor park Union election and disqualified the qualified, even against a clear confirmation of the qualification of the qualified. One thing was clear then and it is still clear now, they were afraid of a free and fair election. They knew then and they also know now, that if such a free and fair election is held, they’ll loose badly.

So, on the matter of the proposed Unity Bar Unified Election, we are finally vindicated again, as the rebel group have consistently shown their disgust for any free and fair Election. They know that we will route them out legitimately over and over again.

Their response constitutes the arrogance of big men who believes that they stand above the entire Bar and no one can do anything to them. Imagine their claim to legitimacy being as shameless as a Candidate campaigning in their meeting. This is absurd, as candidates even campaign in gardens and beer parlours. Those gardens should also join in claiming ownership of the Branch.

When people are not really interested in the welfare of members, knowing the law of the Association becomes less important to them. Claiming that the National Executive Committee did not mandate the President to act in the manner he did, is to demonstrate total lack of knowledge of how the NBA operates legally. The President is legally allowed to take any action in the overall interest of the Association and then report same to NEC for ratification. They are hiding behind a finger.

I am by this statement, calling on the NBA President to investigate the rebel Chairman, Abimbola Kayode, and Mr. Agada Elachi on the illegal exchange of Banking documentation for Change of Accounts Signatory done in 2019, 3 years after Agada had left office as the most controversial Branch Chairman. EFCC must be invited to investigate and prosecute all those involved in the criminal conspiracy to defraud the teaming members of this Branch. This investigation has to extend into how an illegally set up group under one Lady’s control, named Princess, spent all the money in the Accounts of NBA Abuja Branch in cahoots with the then General Secretary – Olagunju. Olagunju has since been indicted by NEC and even if no criminal prosecution is instituted against him, atleast he will never ever get that SAN dream of his, which for him is the crowning of fraud.

While we are committed to a members welfare leadership, they are focused on how to steal the resources of the Branch, which is the Dues paid by struggling junior lawyers – this is why they will never agree to participate in a free and fair election that will extinguish their greed.

All those who are part of this heist against the poor unsuspecting junior colleagues and seniors as well, will rot in hell for these series of heist perpetrated against the poor and helpless junior lawyers whose contributions are being stolen by these illegal rebellious group that are afraid of an election.

If they like, they should claim that they installed Paul Usoro, SAN and use same as their pretence for running away from a good fight. We will continue to support the effort of the President as this effort is not targeted at the greedy “leader”, but the suffering majority helpless members of the Branch who are daily embarrassed by the senseless quest for power of a few unpopular rich men.

This ranting of an illegal body of rich men will not succeed.

Silas Joseph Onu
Past Publicity Secretary
NBA Abuja, Unity Bar.
&
Convener, Open Bar Initiative.
Twitter: @BarInitiative, @sjonu